DIVA sat down with the one of the stars of the fan-favourite reality TV show
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGES BY NETFLIX
Like most of the queer community, we have been obsessed with the second series of The Ultimatum: Queer Love on Netflix. For 10 gloriously chaotic episodes, we’ve seen six couples fall in love, fall out of love and argue.
Marita came onto the show as an ultimatum receiver, unwilling to marry her partner at the time Ashley until she saw more romance in their relationship. Although she developed a connection with AJ, she eventually was partnered with Britney in the trial marriage stage, forming a platonic bond which showed her how she wanted to be treated.
Although Marita didn’t come away engaged, she’s ready to take on this new chapter of her life. DIVA spoke with Marita following the reunion to find out more about her time on the show.
Did you watch the first series? And did you have any expectations going into the show?
I actually remember sitting at home with Ashley watching the show when the first season came out. We looked at each other and we were like “We would literally never do this to each other”. But when you’re actually committing to thinking about doing the experience, it comes from a place of wanting to grow with your partner. I was really just there to see Ashley try to put some effort into romance.
We loved watching your first trial marriage with Britney. How was that experience?
My trial marriage with Britney was pure bliss. We just exuded so much love and energy for each other. And we still do to this day. I would say she is one of the closest people in my life. Britney was passionate, beautiful, loving and caring.
We saw at the end of the show that you and Ashley couldn’t quite get on the same page. How did it feel when you broke up?
In one way, I felt finally free. I could go find someone who is going to fill my cup, someone who is going to bring me flowers, someone who is going to attend to my love language. And in another way, it was like losing my person. I think that’s shown in the reunion. Watching that back, it’s hard to see because I was so angry and sad about what happened.
I’m finally able to give myself the love that I’ve always deserved, instead of pouring it into somebody that really didn’t deserve it at the end of the day. So I’m extremely proud of myself for showing up in that way.
That reunion was very emotional. How do you feel about what was said now?
When I went into the reunion, I was trying to be calm, cool and collected about everything. But it also was the first time that I had actually physically seen Ashley since knowing about her cheating on me and since finding out that she had this whole relationship that she moved to Colorado for while I was at home in California, at my grandfather’s deathbed.
I did apologise for screaming at her like that, and for saying that [her grandparents] didn’t matter, because obviously it does.
What was it like to watch all the episodes back?
Oh my gosh, it was a roller coaster. There was so much that went down!
Why do you think shows like The Ultimatum: Queer Love are good for LGBTQIA+ representation?
The representation is all about love at the end of the day. Queer representation really comes down to a sense of community Everybody who is a part of this community, who shows up in this community, is going to be a different individual. And that is the most beautiful thing about it. There’s so much fluidity to the queer community. I think that’s why it’s so special.
What is your current dating status?
I am just fully focused on myself. I’m giving myself all of the love that I deserve. I have been on a couple of dates, but right now, I’m not really looking for anything too serious. To every woman that I’ve dated so far, I’ve looked them dead in the eyes, and I told them: “The next person to pursue me has to be made of literal pure gold.”
You can watch The Ultimatum: Queer Love on Netflix now.
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